Animal Control

Dog Owners Responsibilities

As a dog owner you have a legal responsibility to keep your dog under control; either within a fenced area on your property or on a leash within a public place. Your dog must always be on a leash in public except at a designated dog exercise area.

Nuisance Dogs

Barking dogs in the suburbs do not need to be tolerated. If you have a neighboring dog that barks for hours on end, call the Towns Rangers and we can assist in abating the nuisance.

Dog Attacks

A dog attack is a very serious matter. If your dog attacks a person or another animal, you will be held responsible even if you were not there at the time. A dog attack includes a dog aggressively rushing at or attempting to attack a person or animal, as well, as tearing clothing, biting or causing physical injury.

Thousands of dog attacks are reported in Perth and country areas every year. Some result in horrific injuries and trauma.

If your dog displays behavioral problems, it is important you address them quickly with appropriate training with such organizations as the RSPCA or Bark Busters.

The State Government amended the Dog Act to allow councils to declare individual dogs "dangerous" for offences such as attacking or repeatedly rushing, threatening or chasing animals or people.

Once a dog is declared dangerous, it has to be muzzled at all time in a public place, this would also be in conjunction with numerous other restrictions imposed on you as the dog owner.